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Portland's Steel Bridge is considered "structurally deficient," but that does not mean it's ready to fall into the Willamette River. In this case, it means the bridge needs paint in order to keep it from rusting.
(Brent Wojahn/The Oregonian)

In a move that’s bound to disrupt Monday morning's public transit and bicycle commutes in Portland, the Steel Bridge will be closed to all modes of overnight and early-morning traffic over the weekend for maintenance.

The first closure will begin at 11 p.m. Saturday with the bridge open again by 8:30 a.m. Sunday. The esplanade walkway on the lower deck, popular with bicycle commuters headed into downtown, and the sidewalk on the upper deck will also be closed.

The second closure will begin at 11 p.m. Sunday and last until no later than 8:30 a.m. Monday. Yep, that’s the middle of the morning commute.

The Oregon Department of Transportation said crews will be adjusting counterweights and carrying out other projects on the 102-year-old, Union Pacific Railroad-owned bridge during the closure.

“This will have a big effect on TriMet service, disrupting 300 MAX trips and 260 bus trips,” said TriMet spokeswoman Roberta Altstadt. “The closures were originally scheduled to begin last weekend but were delayed due to the extreme weather conditions.”